Knowledge, Attitude, Perception and Health-Seeking Behaviour Regarding Occupational-Risk of Cement-Dust Exposure Among Lafarge Workers in Ewekoro Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Inadequate knowledge, negative attitude, poor perception, and poor health seeking-behaviour on the part of the workers are some of the problems resulting in health issues that are associated with occupational hazards. Hence, this study investigated the knowledge, attitude, perception and health-seeking behaviour regarding occupational risk of cement dust exposure among Lafarge workers in Ewekoro LGA, Ogun State, Nigeria. Methodology: A multistage probability sampling method was adopted to select the workers working in Lafarge company in Ewekoro, Ogun State. Result: Most (151; 62.9%) of the workers had high knowledge regarding cement dust exposure. Most (170; 70.8%) of the workers had negative attitudinal disposition towards cement dust exposure. Most (163; 67.9%) of the workers had poor perception towards cement dust exposure. Most (173; 72.1%) of the respondents had poor health seeking behavior regarding cement dust. Conclusion: In the study, it was established that most of the factory workers had good knowledge regarding occupational risk exposure to cement dust. Despite this satisfactory knowledge, a majority of the workers showed a negative attitude towards occupational risk exposure to cement dust. The workers were also found to have poor perception. Negative attitude and poor perception towards risk of cement dust exposure contributed to the workers’ inadequate health seeking behavior.